An acquired brain injury is not something Jan Chaplin will let hold her back. The Newnham woman is expanding her skill set at a tourism/hospitality taster course delivered jointly between the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE. “I’ve been looking at what course options are available to help increase my skill set,” she said. “For many years I have been a tourist visiting countries within Europe, Asia and Africa whilst working and living in London. I've always had a real interest in tourism, so the taster course is perfect.” Ms Chaplin suffered an acquired brain injury as a young woman but has always been a firm believer in applying yourself. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999. “The Tourism/Hospitality course has been great as everyone participating is really enthusiastic about the course and there’s a great unintimidating atmosphere each week,” she said. Ms Chaplin said she has visited Europe, Asia and Africa while she was working and living in London, and it was there she discovered her interest in tourism. She said the taster course had already proven invaluable. “The tourism/hospitality course has been great as everyone participating is really enthusiastic about the course and there’s a great unintimidating atmosphere each week,” she said. “It’s a really supportive environment which enables you as a student to relax and stretch your mind.” The tourism/hospitality course started on August 7 and will run until September 12. Another taster course is also on offer, which will target people who provide unpaid care to someone living with a disability. The caring taster course will run from October 16 to November 21. UTAS community partnerships and regional development, engagement and development officer Leanne Arnott said due to the success of the first, organisers were considering offering a condensed second tourism/hospitality taster course before the end of the year. “We’re finding that people are enjoying being able to learn in their local community space and are excited to hear from a range of people working in the sector,” she said. Mrs Arnott said the two courses would include a range of guest speakers and hands-on activities. The taster courses are funded by Skills Tasmania’s training and work pathways program and are being delivered at the Northern Suburbs Community Centre and the Devonport Library.

University of Tasmania and TasTAFE taster courses under way in hospitality and tourism

NEW SKILLS: Newnham resident Jan Chaplin is taking part in a tourism/hospitality community taster course being offered by the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE. Picture: supplied

An acquired brain injury is not something Jan Chaplin will let hold her back.

The Newnham woman is expanding her skill set at a tourism/hospitality taster course delivered jointly between the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE.

“I’ve been looking at what course options are available to help increase my skill set,” she said.

“For many years I have been a tourist visiting countries within Europe, Asia and Africa whilst working and living in London. I've always had a real interest in tourism, so the taster course is perfect.”

Ms Chaplin suffered an acquired brain injury as a young woman but has always been a firm believer in applying yourself.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999.

“The Tourism/Hospitality course has been great as everyone participating is really enthusiastic about the course and there’s a great unintimidating atmosphere each week,” she said.

Ms Chaplin said she has visited Europe, Asia and Africa while she was working and living in London, and it was there she discovered her interest in tourism.

She said the taster course had already proven invaluable.

“The tourism/hospitality course has been great as everyone participating is really enthusiastic about the course and there’s a great unintimidating atmosphere each week,” she said.

“It’s a really supportive environment which enables you as a student to relax and stretch your mind.”

The tourism/hospitality course started on August 7 and will run until September 12.

Another taster course is also on offer, which will target people who provide unpaid care to someone living with a disability.

The caring taster course will run from October 16 to November 21.

UTAS community partnerships and regional development, engagement and development officer Leanne Arnott said due to the success of the first, organisers were considering offering a condensed second tourism/hospitality taster course before the end of the year.

“We’re finding that people are enjoying being able to learn in their local community space and are excited to hear from a range of people working in the sector,” she said.

Mrs Arnott said the two courses would include a range of guest speakers and hands-on activities.

The taster courses are funded by Skills Tasmania’s training and work pathways program and are being delivered at the Northern Suburbs Community Centre and the Devonport Library.

For more information or to register please contact Robert on 6324 3566 or email Community.Engagement@utas.edu.au, or check out the Facebook page.